Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

President Urusemal calls for Special Session

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Services): March 23, 2007 - President Joseph J. Urusemal has called for a Special Session of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia to convene for five calendar days beginning March 26, 2007.

As issued, the call request Congress's prompt action on the following Bill and Resolutions:

A new bill amending the National Health Insurance Plan Law to require all National Government employees to participate in, and pay premiums to, Micare;

A new bill amending the National Insurance Law(title 37 of the FSM Code) to allow the Insurance Board to exempt foreign insurers from the bonding and escrow requirements under certain circumstances;

A new bill to appropriate additional funds for FY07 operations and projects. Additional funding $25,000 is also requested for FSM's contribution to the Land Grant Treaty, along with a $1,437,587 to assist Kosrae State's "urgent and dire cash flow problems";

A new bill adjusting the salaries of certain Immigration and Labor Division, FSM Department of Justice, personnel;

Congressional Bill No 14-243 amending Public Law No. 14-90 by suspending application of the GRT deductions for businesses until March 2008;

Congressional Bill No. 14-116 enacting the Refugee Act of 2005 and the proposed resolution ratifying the accession by the FSM to the Refugee Convention;

Forthcoming proposed resolutions nominating National Government representatives on various boards;

Congressional Bill No. 14-254 - to increase the salaries of the Chief Justice and Associated Justice of the Supreme Court; and

Other urgent matters

In light of the short duration of the Special, the President urged Congress to place the noted measures at the top of its agenda to ensure "thorough and favorable deliberation" on the Bills and Resolutions as submitted by the Executive Branch.

The President has also called for a meeting of the Economic Policy Implementation Council for the week after the Special Session, from April 2 - 4, 2007.